In the aftermath of a church shooting that left nine parishioners dead in South Carolina, a number of activists began focusing on the Confederate flag as a potential motive for what many believe was a racially motivated crime. While the battle flag’s history is complicated, many Americans continue to revere it for its states’ rights symbolism and ties to the nation’s past.

Plenty of blacks throughout the South and beyond – including Pastor Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in last week’s shooting – have spoken out in favor of the historical flag; however, a media-driven narrative attacking the banner continues to dominate the conversation. Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh predicted earlier this week that the assault on this flag would spread to increased criticism of the American flag.

His forecast came to fruition just days later when Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan suggested the nation’s flag be forcibly removed by those who believe it represents unfair treatment of minorities.